Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation in the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain (PLP).
Neuromodulation
; 18(7): 610-6; discussion 616-7, 2015 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26268453
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic condition in which pain is perceived as arising from an amputated limb. PLP is distinct from, although associated with, pain in the residual limb and nonpainful phantom sensations of the missing limb. Its treatment is extremely challenging; pharmaceutical options, while commonly employed, may be insufficient or intolerable. Neuromodulatory interventions such as spinal cord stimulation have generated mixed results and may be limited by poor somatotopic specificity. It was theorized that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuromodulation may be more effective. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Patients trialed a DRG neurostimulation system for their PLP and were subsequently implanted if results were positive. Retrospective chart review was completed, including pain ratings on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and patient-reported outcomes.RESULTS:
Across eight patients, the average baseline pain rating was 85.5 mm. At follow-up (mean of 14.4 months), pain was rated at 43.5 mm. Subjective ratings of quality of life and functional capacity improved. Some patients reduced or eliminated pain medications. Patients reported precise concordance of the paresthesia with painful regions, including in their phantom limbs; in one case, stimulation eliminated PLP as well as nonpainful phantom sensations. Three patients experienced a diminution of pain relief, despite good initial outcomes.CONCLUSIONS:
DRG neuromodulation may be an effective tool in treating this pain etiology. Clinical outcomes in this report support recent converging evidence suggesting that the DRG may be the site of PLP generation and/or maintenance. Further research is warranted to elucidate mechanisms and optimal treatment pathways.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Membro Fantasma
/
Terapia por Estimulação Elétrica
/
Gânglios Espinais
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article